* WaPo…
Democrats are moving urgently to harness the wave of grass-roots protests that have greeted President Trump in his first weeks in office to reclaim the House majority in next year’s midterm elections.
As of this week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is hiring full-time operatives to do political organizing work in 20 key Republican-held districts — an unusually early investment in House races that do not even have declared candidates yet.
Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the committee’s chairman, called the move “unprecedented” for Democrats, who need to pick up two dozen GOP-held seats to win the majority. […]
The 20 targets include many of the districts where Democrats hoped to unseat Republicans last year — including suburban districts in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Colorado. But they are also going into districts represented by veteran GOP lawmakers — such as Reps. John Abney Culberson (Tex.), Peter J. Roskam (Ill.), Edward R. Royce (Calif.) and Pete Sessions (Tex.) — who did not face a strong 2016 challenge but where Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton ended up beating Trump.
I dunno about Roskam. Do you think he’ll be vulnerable?
* Then again…
A group of 16 constituents that arranged to meet with staff members at the West Chicago district office of U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) Wednesday about their concerns with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act were abruptly told they would have to reschedule after staff realized a member of the press was present.
Sandra Alexander said she scheduled the meeting weeks ago and was stunned that they were turned away. “We are going to be respectful and see if they will change their minds,” Alexander said. […]
“He just ran off,” Alexander said. “They never told me that the media could not be here, and the reporter was willing to leave so that we could have our meeting,” she said.
* The DCCC might also want to look at Rodney Davis’ district, which is the home to something like ten universities and colleges, including UIUC and ISU. And speaking of ISU…
Josh Knight of Normal said he brought his 8-year-old son to a Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal rally Wednesday night in Bloomington to show him how to be an American.
“I wanted to show him that we treat all people equally and that we instill in him the values of American culture that we believe in and that is freedom for all people and to be an open and welcoming person,” said Knight. […]
They were among about 1,200 people who filled the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts auditorium to capacity in a show of support for their immigrant neighbors and to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, making the rally one of the largest in recent memory in the Twin Cities.
1,200 people turned out for a pro-immigration rally in Bloomington? Something’s up.
Davis supported the president’s executive order, but that midterm could be rough if that district can be organized.
The problem with that idea, however, is the district is so spread out. Bloomington and Urbana aren’t far away geographically, but they are worlds apart in many other ways. The campuses appear to dominate the district on paper, but people on those campuses almost never work together. Also, I think about 40 percent of the district is in the St. Louis media market. It’s all over the place.
*** UPDATE *** Many thanks to a commenter who pointed us to this DCCC memo, which reveals that Congressman Davis is on the DCCC’s target list, along with Congressman Randy Hultgren (which may be a bit of a stretch). From the memo…
History Isn’t On Their Side:
* Since 1900, there are only three examples of the president’s party gaining seats in the first midterm: 2002 (George W. Bush), 1934 (Franklin D. Roosevelt) and 1902 (Teddy Roosevelt).
* In modern history- since 1982- the president’s party has lost an average 28 seats in the first midterm election, even accounting for Republican gains in 2002 under President Bush.
President Trump’s Historic Unpopularity:
* In all midterms over last 23 years, the sitting president has needed a net-positive job approval in the double-digits in order to stave off losses.
* According to a new Quinnipiac University Poll conducted over Donald Trump’s first five days as President, only 36% of voters approve of his job performance.
* Trump has reached majority disapproval (Gallup Poll) in a record-shattering 8 days.
Deeply Unpopular Agenda:
* On policy, House Republicans are taking the wrong lessons from 2016: kowtowing to Trump’s most divisive policies like his border wall, while opposing him on popular plans to preserve Medicare or action on trade.
* The Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act is deeply unpopular, and will continue to create political backlash across the country.
* Republican attacks on Medicare, Social Security and Planned Parenthood, and efforts to gut ethics and transparency safeguards will have repercussions at the ballot box.
- Emily Booth - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
The anger of Trump voters & supporters is nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to the anger of everyone else. It’s just that it’s being expressed in a more organized &, dare I say it, peaceful way.
- siriusly - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
Trump backlash will only work for the Dems if they have good candidates. If they continue to run weak candidates against strong incumbents they will get squashed.
They also need a stronger message besides “anti Trump”
- flippy - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
Roskam has been an absent representative for quite a while now. He won’t debate his opponents and calls to his his office go un-returned (so I’m told by constituents).
He needs to be retired.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
As to Roskam, I am a Republican and I wish he were vulnerable. The way that district has shifted demographically you would think there might be a Democrat somewhere that could give him a run.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:36 pm:
Some of Davis’ constituents aren’t too happy with him either. Check out the section on Davis in this NG article. Looks like he plans to go Rauner’s route of Facebooking.
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-01-29/tom-kacich-hearing-lacks-chicago-presence.html
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Roskam’s more vulnerable than Davis, just look at the Presidential numbers in both districts.
For Roskam, it’ll be about whether voters are thinking federally or locally. Trump’s numbers are abysmal in the suburbs, but Rauner’s hold up.
Davis just needs to actually interact with his constituents beyond some weird Twitter back-and-forths. It’s a problem that his sister is more visible than he is, and that she’s slagging him on the ACA.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Davis is already on the targets list: http://action.dccc.org/pdf/dccc-on-offense.pdf
If I were any legislator in the country, I’d be concerned. This was at 4 pm on a Tuesday in Belleville: http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article129916914.html
- I'mDone - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Urbana State Rep. Carol Ammons’ name is being floated to run against Davis. Thoughts? Who else might be a viable nominee? And David Gill needs to stay the heck out of it.
- In 630 - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
If 2018 were going to be anything like a normal midterm- Roskam wouldn’t be vulnerable. The numbers just aren’t there. But only 43% of that district went for Trump, which includes a lot of votes that went Roskam’s way. A whole lot of people every which way politically are staying way more engaged, and he’s on a path to have to wear every Trump policy people hate unless he starts bucking. If the fires don’t burn out, and if enough Trump stink gets on him, IL-6 is at least worth some effort. Those aren’t small ifs though.
- The Captain - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
David Gill will ruin the Democrats chances in 13. He’s probably to the left of Schakowsky but he insists on running in central Illinois and his vanity is boundless. The Democrats financed him to the hilt a few years ago and got him to within a half a point of winning and in response he blasted the Democratic party and then tried to run as an independent. But he had insufficient signatures so he sued to get on the ballot and that eventually got tossed out. Now he says he wants to run again and will run as a Democrat but then he blasts the Democratic party and says he won’t accept their money or their help, he just wants their nomination so he can run an underfunded vanity campaign in the general election in what could be a nationally targeted district. Go away.
Roskam has some Democrats salivating because Hillary won that district by 7 but they overlook the fact that Duckworth lost it by 6 and Mendoza by 21. Durbin lost it by 13 in 2014 and even Lisa Madigan came up just short. It’s an uphill climb for the Democrats. The good news though is that for the State House and State Senate dems they have some seats now in northern/eastern DuPage to protect (Cullerton, Conroy, etc) and a few they’d like to play offense in in central DuPage and the county party there is a bit of a mess. If some politicos like the DCCC and others start to send in resources they could develop some local talent that could improve the local party long term and get bodies to the doors in ways that will help other races. DuPage used to be hardcore red and now it’s a shade of purple, the DC types sending in resources will have some benefit. But Roskam probably only loses in 2018 if it’s a massive wave Democratic year.
- I'mDone - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
check this out - Davis has been MIA like Roskam so someone in C-U has resorted to this… https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=flat%20rodney%27s%20big%20adventure
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Are there any Democrats in that district? Pardon me
Viable Democrats?
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
The Bolingbrook Mayor’s race is something of a test run for this strategy. Roger Claar, the long time Mayor of Bolingbrook was a huge Trump supporter, hosting him for a fundraiser and going to the Inaugaration.
Hillary beat Trump something like 2-to-1 in Bolingbrook, so the Democrats have a candidate, Jackie Traynere, who is running essentially a single-issue campaign against him, attacking Claar for backing Trump.
If it works there, then the Dems would be morons to not put some money up to run someone against Roskam. Same with Hutlgren & Rodney
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:48 pm:
Ammons seems like a bad fit outside of Champaign-Urbana.
But her Senator, Scott Bennett, could have a good profile for the seat.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Hillary won Roskam’s district by 9 points. In a Trump off-year, he should be running scared
- Rayne of Terror - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
In BloNo we have a huge immigrant Muslim population for central IL thanks to SF. We know what prosperity they add to our communities and we like it.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Scott Bennet also just got elected to a 4 year term, so he can run for Congress without giving up his Senate Seat
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
There is tremendous intensity out there right now against Trump that is genuine and widespread. Unfortunately for Republicans (or fortunately for Democrats if you are one) Trumps electoral college victory ignited nonpartisan passions. Yes, Davis & Roskam can be taken down and I would not be surprised if there were a couple incumbents that loose that no one see’s coming.
Part of this is just history repeating itself since the President usually looses seats, but the amount and intensity of the anti-Trump passion out there is immense.
All that being said, the Democrats are pretty incompetent and could screw it up.
- A guy - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
==I dunno about Roskam. Do you think he’ll be vulnerable?==
Um. No. Make that NO. Spend the money here though. It’ll suck resources from elsewhere.
- illini - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
Davis barely prevailed in his first race, yet won his second term when running against Ann Callis - a candidate with formidable and impeccable credentials who was also supported by the DCCC.
This could well be a swing district, but given its geography and demographics it could likely be a difficult win for the D’s. Yet it may depend on the potential candidates that are willing to come forward.
The longer and incumbent remains the harder it is to unseat them. Just look at my Congressman, John Shimkus. Yet if Davis should be challenged and lose, I suppose he could always go back working for John.
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
And on the other hand - if Cheri Bustos ran for Governor, that seat is gone for the Dems right? Generic GOP beats Generic Dem there, so without Bustos running, it flips.
- D-Trip - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
Hillary won by 9 points and Roskam still hit 59%. Sorry I think the DCCC is taking too big of a bite right now. The GOP majority in Congress is too big to take out in one cycle. Just my $0.02
- D-Trip - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
I believe Trump won Bustos’ district by 2% - it is a good swing district if Schilling is not running.
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
well, if the Dems don’t run as a far left party, they might get somewhere out there.
- Someone you should know - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
On the Bustos Seat, The Democrats have always had a history of picking young, forward looking Candidates, so I’m Thinking Denny Jacobs or Pennie Von Bergen Wessels
- Handle Bar Mustache - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Rodney Davis pretends to be a “moderate” but he is a Shimkus conservative when the votes are counted.
Rodney is to Rauner as Ryan is to Trump.
Both guys wilt under the money and the power.
- Otown Beatdown - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
– Grand Bargain: Is CD17 not a D+7? I do think if Schilling were to run he would probably get it, but if he did not - Quad Cities and Rockford have a pretty good hold, no? If Schilling were not to run, I wonder if State Rep Stewart would.
- Norseman - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
Maybe they read Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
- A guy - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
==Hillary won Roskam’s district by 9 points…===
And Roskam crushed his opponent even with Hillary doing well especially in the DuPage sections of the district. This after a primary (first time) coming from the right. Attacked from both sides, he won both, the general by his biggest margin ever. Unlike what someone said above, his office is extremely responsive. He does try to stay out of controversial issues, which he should be willing to face. He’s as good on the stump as anyone. Smart guy, very quick mind. Very even temperament.
If a lady were bringing media to a meeting with the Congressman, she should have said so. That makes it a press conference, not a meeting. Changes the dynamics for everyone there.
Either way, that seat was drawn to make 3 others competitive for the D’s, and it worked. It’s as safe an R seat as there is in this state.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
I don’t think his staff handled the meeting thing particularly well, but anyone who’s ever been in the position of gatekeeper or PIO in a situation like that would get naturally defensive. Put yourself in the aide’s shoes — you set up a meeting for 8 constituents with your boss in the conference room to talk an issue, no big deal to prepare for that. All of a sudden, instead of 8 people, 16 people show up and they bring a reporter. Your PIO isn’t there, you didn’t prep your boss adequately for press questions, what do you do? In this case they probably should have gone ahead with just the 8 people and no reporter once offered, but I completely understand getting defensive in that situation. Likely the visitors didn’t know any better or mean anything by it, but a staffer’s ambush alarm bells should go off in that scenario. They made a mistake but both sides made mistakes there.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
Are y’all watching what’s happening in your communities? If this energy is sustained (obviously a big if), very few seats are going to be “safe”
- Otown Beatdown - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
====Grand Avenue
Is CD17 not a D+7? If she did leave, and Schilling were to run, I do think he would be very tough to beat. But if not, I think the Quad Cities and Rockford have a lot of pull for a Democratic candidate. If he were not to run, it would be interesting to see who the GOP would slate; I think State Rep. Stewart would be an interesting choice
- Saluki - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
1200 people huh? We will see if the kids stay interested.
- illini - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Second attempt to post -
Davis barely prevailed in his first race, yet won his second term when running against Ann Callis - a candidate with formidable and impeccable credentials who was also supported by the DCCC.
This could well be a swing district, but given its geography and demographics it could likely be a difficult win for the D’s. Yet it may depend on the potential candidates that are willing to come forward.
The longer and incumbent remains the harder it is to unseat them. Just look at my Congressman, John Shimkus. Yet if Davis should be challenged and lose, I suppose he could always go back working for John.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
==Davis barely prevailed in his first race, yet won his second term when running against Ann Callis - a candidate with formidable and impeccable credentials who was also supported by the DCCC.==
I worked both campaigns. The support for Gill came late despite there being quite a bit of energy. The Callis campaign had out of state organizers flown in with some funding but she was never anything more than an empty suit. Absolutely no excitement for her campaign at all
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
Hey DCCC, while you’re mining for Dems, be sure to include them NOW in local elections action! bottoms up.
- Still a Sox fan - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
DuPage’s formerly big red wall has been crumbling for well over a decade, and it’s just a matter of time before its congressional seat is in blue hands.
With the likelihood of Trump continuing his scorched earth policies — not to mention the strong possibility of impeachment proceedings being underway — my guess is that it will happen sooner (2018) than anyone expected.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
Won’t it depend to some extent on how much each Rep goes along with Trump or if any are willing to vote no every now and then?
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
When outraged, Dems protest and march. Repubs vote.
- Filmmaker prof - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
Would love to see Scott Bennett run against Rodney, but he’s not going to do it. Maybe in another 4 years, but not now.
- A guy - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:41 pm:
== they have some seats now in northern/eastern DuPage to protect (Cullerton, Conroy, etc)===
Cap’n. No etc. That’s it. Willis has a tiny bit, but she’s primarily Cook Co.
- In 630 - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:42 pm:
==well, if the Dems don’t run as a far left party, they might get somewhere out there. ==
Maybe a year ago. The ground is shifting- the poles are Trump at one end and against Trump at the other. The question is whether the Dems figure that out in time or if people will be trying to replay past elections.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:43 pm:
==And Roskam crushed his opponent==
His opponent was a college board member who coulda doubled her warchest by finding a $20 bill on the street.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
==Maybe a year ago. The ground is shifting- the poles are Trump at one end and against Trump at the other. The question is whether the Dems figure that out in time or if people will be trying to replay past elections.==
Ding ding ding
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
==Won’t it depend to some extent on how much each Rep goes along with Trump or if any are willing to vote no every now and then?==
==Maybe a year ago. The ground is shifting- the poles are Trump at one end and against Trump at the other. The question is whether the Dems figure that out in time or if people will be trying to replay past elections.==
the answer to that first question is no. Some of these folks are going to get hammered over ONE decision they make. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dems get primaried over their stance (or lackthereof) on teh SCOTUS pick. Again, big IF on whether that energy is sustained, but the winds are blowing
- Downstate - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:49 pm:
Candidly, Nancy Pelosi is not beloved in Central Illinois. Her impact, as the face of the House Dems, doesn’t do any favors for Central Illinois Democrat candidates. DNC chair selection (which appears to be on the same timeframe as the Mautino release of information) indicates there’s a fracture in the party. Do D’s go Sander’s Left or Clinton Left?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
===If a lady were bringing media to a meeting with the Congressman, she should have said so. That makes it a press conference, not a meeting. Changes the dynamics for everyone there.===
LOL. Nice try. When Sean Spicer gets sacked, you should apply for the job A Guy. Do you have a lot of dark suits?
“Alexander told the Beacon-News that she was unaware of any conditions for the meeting, and said that she did arrange for a meeting with just eight people. But Alexander said she had been willing to send some people home if the group was too large. She also said that the reporter present was willing to leave if Roskam’s staff wanted the meeting to be closed to the press.
“He just ran off,” she told the Beacon-News. “They never told me that the media could not be here, and the reporter was willing to leave so that we could have our meeting.”
“I am flabbergasted that Peter Roskam and his staff would turn us away,” Alexander added. “They didn’t have the courtesy to listen to us. We are a peaceful group.”
- 60611 - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 3:53 pm:
===[Roskam] won by his biggest margin ever.===
He won in ‘16 with 59.2%, in ‘14 with 67.1%, in ‘12 with 59.2%, and in ‘10 (different lines) with 63.6% and in ‘08 with 57.6%. So it was hardly his biggest margin ever, but I do think it’s notable he didn’t do any worse in 2012 than he did in 2016. Of course, the Dems have never tried to defeat him. If they ran a well-funded campaign and Trump’s next 19 months are anything like the last 2 weeks, Dems will get closer - though getting to 50% will be tough.
===It’s as safe an R seat as there is in this state.===
Certainly Shimkus and LaHood are safer.
- CornCob - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
**Are y’all watching what’s happening in your communities? If this energy is sustained (obviously a big if), very few seats are going to be “safe” **
You’re right, the Dems need to worry if this violence continues and becomes more wide-spread.
- walker - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:05 pm:
There’s a lot of energized folks in Roskam’s district. The environmental groups had a demonstration at his office expecting about 25, and over 300 showed up. We’ll see what can be sustained and focused.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
==You’re right, the Dems need to worry if this violence continues and becomes more wide-spread.==
Hey, I dabble in creative writing, too!
- Downstate - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
Arsenal,
“Protests/Riots” - It’s in the eye of the beholder. Ferguson Protests/Riots certainly didn’t turn Missouri more blue.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
Downstate, and it seems unlikely and anarchist riot in California will turn Illinois more red. Randomly connecting unrelated things is fun!
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
==It’s in the eye of the beholder==
VERY creative.
==Ferguson Protests/Riots certainly didn’t turn Missouri more blue.==
They weren’t necessarily designed to do so, as Jay Nixon was a big part of the problem. However, several Ferguson city officials were forced out, and the City Council is now much more representative of the populace.
- illini - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
To the update - Maybe it is time for Ann Callis to consider another challenge.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
==Maybe it is time for Ann Callis to consider another challenge==
In which district again?
- Downstate - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:29 pm:
JPD,
Comments on the board, including yours, referenced the “energy” of these protests. Didn’t know about the B-N event till I read it here. Admirable.
But the majority of the news is focused on the Berkley type riots/protests. Those are getting the attention and fortunately, or unfortunately, a connection to the Democrat party. Not sure the everyday voter can distinguish the difference.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:30 pm:
–Attacked from both sides, he won both, the general by his biggest margin ever. –
Not even close to being true.
Roskam won by 18 points in 2016. He won by much larger margins in 2010 (28 points) and 2014 (34 points), off-prez years with a Dem in the White House.
He’s never had a Congressional race with a Republican in the White House.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roskam#Electoral_history
- ILGOV2016 - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
The Bolingbrook Mayor’s race is something of a test run for this strategy. Roger Claar, the long time Mayor of Bolingbrook was a huge Trump supporter, hosting him for a fundraiser and going to the Inaugaration.
Hillary beat Trump something like 2-to-1 in Bolingbrook, so the Democrats have a candidate, Jackie Traynere, who is running essentially a single-issue campaign against him, attacking Claar for backing Trump.
If it works there, then the Dems would be morons to not put some money up to run someone against Roskam. Same with Hutlgren & Rodney
Jackie Traynere is going to give incumbent Mayor Roger Claar a run for his money. The key is getting the minority/women and anti-Trump, pro-Sanders voters out to vote for her.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 5:11 pm:
Arsenal. Claire Mccaskill will lose her senate seat. Largely because of her silence on the rioting in Ferguson.
- Sue - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 5:31 pm:
Can’t wait for Keith Ellison to get the DNC Chair- the R’s will pick up seats. They go Left and we go to 260
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 5:34 pm:
Weird, outside conservative propaganda machine, most of the few outlets I’ve seen report on Berkeley were pretty clear it was blac bloc and anarchists doing the protests. Not seeing any connection to democrats. Meanwhile the local papers all seem to be reporting on the swarming of the local offices
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:01 pm:
==Can’t wait for Keith Ellison to get the DNC Chair- the R’s will pick up seats. They go Left and we go to 260==
We will thank you to keep believing that all the way up to November 6th, 2018.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:03 pm:
Does anybody find it a bit unnerving how fired up conservatives are to use islamaphobia against Keith Ellison? All across the country they’re saying that elected a muslim to the chair of the DNC is “Identity politics.” As if the only reason he’d be chosen for the job is because of that fact. Not his qualifications or anything. Very scary strain of anti-muslim attitude
- Amalia - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:12 pm:
who cares what the Rs think of Ellison! there are plenty of other reasons NOT to elect him as DNC chair. the Dems can and should do better.
besides Pelosi Ellison sounds too much like a Chicago area car dealership.
- West Sider - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:33 pm:
-besides Pelosi Ellison sounds too much like a Chicago area car dealership.-
Ok- Amalia that made me laugh out loud.
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:38 pm:
At least he can find Wisconsin and Michigan on a map, something I cant say about the establishment Dems. He also seems to know the economic issues driving voters in this country. Another thing you can’t say about the DNC establishment
- collinsville kevin - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 6:49 pm:
Illini, Ann Callis was a horrible candidate dogged by (true) allegations that she lived in St. Louis instead of her district. Davis is vulnerable with the right candidate.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 2, 17 @ 8:15 pm:
Rodney Davis only represents half of Bloomington-Normal so who knows if all those folks at the rally were in his district and not LaHood’s.
That said, I am enjoying seeing Rodney Davis on the hot seat. This cardboard cutout Rodney thing is amusing.
https://twitter.com/FlatRodneyDavis
- Put the fun in unfunded - Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 9:01 am:
He’s never had a Congressional race with a Republican in the White House.
Wordslinger, have to call you on this one. Roskam was initially elected in 2006 (with Bush 43 in the White House) in a very tight top tier race over Tammy Duckworth. He was reelected in 2008 in a second tier race vs. “GI Jill” Morgenthaler but since then has not had well funded opposition.
- A guy - Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 9:27 am:
==He’s never had a Congressional race with a Republican in the White House.==
Baloney. He had one with GWB in the White House. I was there.
- A guy - Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 9:29 am:
Every dime the Dems spend in Illinois 6 sucks a dime out of anywhere else. Go ahead.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 9:40 am:
==He’s never had a Congressional race with a Republican in the White House.==
Baloney. He had one with GWB in the White House. I was there.–
My mistake, apologies. Your claim that Roskam won in 2016 by his “biggest margin ever” was your mistake.
- A guy - Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 9:48 am:
Fair enough. I was repeating his campaign manager, who rightly pointed out that was true for this district as it was redrawn after the census. His previous races were in the old 6th. Apologize for my lack of clarity.